Is there a way to tighten the jaw on the main winches. They don't seem to be gripping the sheets as well as before when I'm cranking on the winch handle. As I'm cranking, if I don't keep some tension on the tailing end they will slip out of the jaw. Never used to do that.
They appear to be original so they are 30 yrs. old. Can't remember the make of them (maybe Maxwell) but I know they are not Lewmar.
I would suspect worn or undersized sheets before worn winches. My jib sheets do the same but my sheets are the same that came with the boat. Usually tail myself or have crew do it.
mre : I suspect that the winch "jaws" are set. I'd also guess that you have a 1986 C34??
If you already haven't don it, I'd change the head sail sheet lines to 1/2 inch. You probably have worn 7/16 inch sheet lines now!!
A thought
I think you are correct. They appear to be 7/16. Good timing, the boat show is next week.
A test would be to end-for-end the sheet and see if the other end has the same problem.